Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures

On March 8, tomorrow, the world would be celebrating the International Women's Day.  This year, the theme for world-wide activities is, CONNECTING GIRLS, INSPIRING FUTURES

If every International Women's Day event held in 2012 includes girls in some way, then thousands of minds will be inspired globally.

Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

It is sad that in certain parts of our country the female foeticide is a disgraceful act that people indulge in.  Some women succumb to family and societal pressures to get rid of the female fetus even before birth, just for a stupid, irrational craving for a boy child. 

Though 'Hamari Beti' , an initiative of our Club to sensitise the people against female foeticide is endeavouring to make a difference and change people's attitudes, the task is challenging. 

A recent survey by a student journalist in the village Mubarkpur near Chandigarh, revealed how a lady had to undergo five abortions to avoid the birth of girl, thanks to sex determination test being conducted by unscrupulous doctors, and finally, she was able to conceive a boy, who was born mentally challenged.  

Think about this. 'Hamari Beti' needs to be protected. We need to own up the responsibility and put our foot down to curb any such inhuman act against the girl child the moment we learn about it.  

Connecting Girls would always inspire future...a better future for everyone.  

Polio: The New Challenge

Post Polio Summit 2012, Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo exhorts us all to meet new challenges 

Dear friends,

The Polio Summit is behind us, leaving its mark on our memory pad.  Most of you were there to be a part of this historic occasion which was truly Divinely blessed when the official letter from W.H.O. arrived taking India off the list of Polio endemic countries.  Your participation meant much as it did for other  Rotarians who came from different districts. 

What was an idea 18 months back has become a reality and we want to thank our President Kalyan Banerjee for the guidance  and encouragement he gave for holding up this Summit.  It has brought a new dimension to the bonding between the government and Rotary, also encompassing our other global and local partners.  It is true that the media has not given much recognition to Rotary for this event.  I am sure media will eventually see the role that Rotary has played and will bring the facts to the eyes of the people.  Those who were part of the Summit fully recognize that.

Whereas Polio Summit ended with compliments flowing all over to Rotary and the role that Rotarians played in setting the goal of Polio-free world and working towards it, my friends, it has opened new challenges for us. The "Delhi Commitment" which spells out the commitment that each Rotarian present  including you, needs to be worked upon until the ultimate objective is achieved. 

I am, therefore, urging you to make the document, the "Delhi Commitment"attached herewith be circulated by you to each of your club members, each Rotary leader in your district be made aware of the commitment, each person to become aware of the commitment he or she has to fulfill.  Thus, the document the "DelhiCommitment" is not just a piece of paper, it is an honour that we have to keep.

In the closing, let me thank you once again for making the Polio Summit 2012 a historic occasion.

Warm greetings and regards.

Delhi Commitment. (Please click here to view/download and share with others)

DO YOU WANT TO...?

This is a beautiful video on how you, as a Rotarian, are impacting the lives of the people around the globe. Must see.

(video)


In case you are unable to see the video, click on the link to the blog and check it out. 

Congratulations. India is Polio Free

WHO takes India's name off polio endemic countries list
India, which has been polio-free for over a year now, was taken off the list of polio endemic countries by the World Health Organisation. This announcement was made by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at the polio summit 2012 in New Delhi on 25th February in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Azad said he has received a letter this morning stating that the "WHO has taken India's name off the list of polio endemic countries in view of the remarkable progress that we have made during the past one year."

There were only four countries in the WHO endemic list, including Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

After being removed from the list, India will have to remain polio free for the next two years to achieve the polio-free status with concerted efforts and an emergency preparedness and response plan, WHO representative in India Natela Menabde said.

The Prime Minister, while lauding the achievement complimented the government officials and Rotary for this massive success.  Singh said, "This gives us hope that we can finally eradicate polio not only from India but from the face of the earth."

Though many countries have achieved this goal, every country is still under the threat of polio as long as the virus existed, she warned.

Rotarians must keep up extra vigil and continue with vaccination efforts for next two years to ensure that polio virus does not enter the country again. 

Prime Minister opens Polio Summit tomorrow

Prime Minister of India S. Manmohan Singh shall be inaugurating the Polio Summit that opens tomorrow at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
It is for the first time that a joint summit by Government of India and Rotary International is being organised.
This is a significant event for all the Rotarians...and in fact, the entire humanity on this planet.
In India we have just completed one year when not a single polio case has been registered.
Overall, the annual number of polio cases have diminished by more than 99 percent since the initiative was launched by Rotary in 1988, when polio infected about 3,50,000 children every year.
Through Rotary efforts and active participation of the governments around the world, more than two billion children have been immunized in 122 countries, preventing five million cases of paralysis and 2,50,000 deaths.
At this stage, today, we require much more concerted endeavours to keep the status-quo...maintain the zero polio-case level, which alone can ensure a polio-free world for our children.


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